Artwork by Niki Zarrabi<\/p>\n
Story by Elnaz Moghangard<\/p>\n
Roya <\/em>is a coming-of-age fiction novel about a young Iranian-American woman navigating loss, love, identity, purpose and renewal. Generational differences have distanced Roya from her more traditional parents. A recent heartbreak has left her feeling like an expat in her own body. Unwilling to face the responsibilities and decisions of her present reality, she finds herself trapped in a mental limbo. As she embarks on a trip to Iran for the first time with her grandmother, Roya experiences a country that is undergoing its own transformation \u2013\u2013a rich culture in the midst of navigating tradition and modernity. A vacation that Roya believes will be an escape from her problems turns out to become the antidote for her awakening. But before she can begin healing, she must first face the generational wounds of her past with the help of some unexpected encounters.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next afternoon, they walk past the burgundy albalootrees and enter the covered patio. Roya grabs the pitcher of pomegranate sharbat, pours some in a cup and addswater. The dense syrup is still too sweet for her taste buds.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to help me in the garden for a bit before we eat?\u201d Khanoom Jaan reaches for a sparewatering pot.<\/p>\n \u201cSure. I\u2019d love to.\u201d They walk around the patio back under the open air.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Roya, what are you studying in school?<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m in my third year of undergraduate school.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUniversity, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, university. Right now I\u2019m studying pre-medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then I become a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen, I spend the rest of my life as Dr. Roya\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, then I get married, have kids and wait until they\u2019re teenagers so they can tell me I\u2019m being annoying.\u201d Roya lets out a playful laugh.<\/p>\n The old woman smiles with her eyes amused by the young girl sitting before her. \u201cSounds like a wonderful plan then!\u201d<\/p>\n